Hickory Dickory Dock Lyrics

First published around 1744 in Tommy Thumb's Pretty Song Book. A fun rhyme that introduces children to the concept of time and clocks. Best for ages 2–6. The verses extend cleanly into a counting song (the mouse and the clock striking each hour), making this a natural bridge between number recognition and time concepts — both of which develop heavily between ages 3 and 5. Use it as a precursor to learning to tell time, or as part of a song-and-counting circle. For more counting and time songs, see [best counting songs for preschoolers](/blog/best-counting-songs-preschoolers) and [best songs for days, months, and seasons](/blog/best-songs-days-seasons).

Hickory dickory dock,
The mouse ran up the clock.
The clock struck one,
The mouse ran down,
Hickory dickory dock!

Hickory dickory dock,
The mouse ran up the clock.
The clock struck two,
The mouse said "Boo!"
Hickory dickory dock!

Hickory dickory dock,
The mouse ran up the clock.
The clock struck three,
The mouse said "Whee!"
Hickory dickory dock!